Antiseptic mouthpiece for telephones.



G; RGWLANDS.

ANTISEPTIO MOUTHPIEGE FOR TELEPHONES.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 1, 1909.

Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

carats.

. lUhllTl) STATES PATENT OFFIfiE.

GEORGE ROWLANDS, 0F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOH 0F ONE-HALE T0 WALTER S. WOOD, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YQBK,

AN'IISEP'IIC MOUTHPIECE FOR TELEPHONES.

' the same telephone.

Every one of ordinary intelligence knows that the promiscuous use of telephones by the public is a frequent means of communicating disease, owing to the deposit von the mouthpiece of germs of phthisis, bronchitis, influenza and the like, which when dry are readily removed from said mouth-piece by actual contact of the lips or by the air currents produced in speaking into the mouthpiece. If, however, the germs are deposited upon a moist surface there is far less liability of their being transmitted to the next user of the telephone, and the object of my invention is to rovide not only an antiseptic receiving sur ace for such germs, but one wh ch will automatically maintain itselfin a moist condition.

To this end, my invention consists in a protector or'guard for a mouth-piece composed of absorbent material impregnated with an antiseptic hygroscopic liquid which will absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and thus for a comparatively long period will resist the effects of evaporation.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a tele-.

hone mouth-piece embodying my invention.

ig. 2 is a front elevation o the same, and Fi 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the antiseptic hygroscopic guard is made. f

[To the'inside of the customary vulcanite mouth-piece 1 is fitted a lining 2 of absorbent material, preferably thick bibulous paper. The pa or is cut from a sheet inthe form olf'the b ank shown in Fig. 3 and after Specification of Iietters Patent. Application flledihme 1, 1909. Serial No. 499,519.

Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

being saturated with an antise tic solution is bent into shape and place inside the mouth-piece 1. In order to retain it in place, an annular cover 3 is slipped upon the outer edge of the' mouthpiece, having a flangg 4 which overlaps the outer end of the guar p I refer to provide the {mouth-piece with a jac et 5 of thin sheet metal, such as aluminum, and to make the cover of this' met-al also, the jacket having a "cylindrical outer end 6 upon which the cover fits and is held by friction. The jacket may however be omitted; and moreover the mouth-piece 1 may be made of aluminum or other suitable material instead of vulcan'te.

The antiseptic solution with 'which the lining or guard is saturated may contain any suitable, in redients, but in addition to or in lieu of t e usual antiseptic and the deodorant I use a suitable quantity of glycerin, which is colorless, tasteless, antiseptic, re-

and hygroscopic, so that the lining wil main moist by the automatic absor tion of moisture from the atmosphere. sin le lining or guard will last for four or five weeks, and can then be removed and burned,

and a fresh one inserted. The constantly moist surface of the guard will hold all germs and prevent them from being accient'ally brushed off or blown oil by persons.

3. A telephone mouth-piece provided with a guard carrying an antiseptic solution contaming a hygroscopic substance. 4. A telephone mouth-piece havin a lining of bibulous material treated Wit glycerin.

5. A telephone mouth-piece having a lining of bibulous paper carrying a hygrosoc-pie substance, and an annular cover 21 3- 1 In testimony whereof I have signed my lied to said mouth-piece for holding said name to this specification in the presence of m inin iin lafie. h h 1 two subscribing witnesses.

6. teep one mout lece avin a in- 1 1 1, i 5 ing of absorbent nirateria carrying a hygro- GLOhGh L scopic substance, a jacket of sheet metal for \Vitnesses: said mouth-piece, and an annular cover fit- BENJAMIN B. HULL,

sing on said jacket and retaining said lining. HEWLETT Semmnn, J r. 

